“How do you disinfect and drink the water that falls from the stalactites?”

“You just need to collect and boil it. Normally, eating like this outside might cause problems, but the water in the Blue Starlight Valley dungeon is cleaner than outside.”

“Really?”

This was new to me. I assumed that because it was a dungeon, the air and water would be contaminated.

“Yes. This dungeon is challenging because of the monsters, but the environment is good. Dungeons with bad air quality for humans usually have the word ‘contaminated’ in their name, like ‘Contaminated Graveyard’ or ‘Contaminated Canal.'”

I was relieved I hadn’t fallen into such a place. Being of a lower rank, even though not a regular person, I might have been affected.

‘Excluding the monsters, the Blue Starlight Valley would be a nice place for camping…’

I placed a mug under a stalactite to catch the dripping water.

Drip, drip, drip…

The water fell in tiny droplets. It seemed like it would take a long time to collect enough to drink.

‘I should start cooking first.’

I planned to make fish cake skewer soup today. I took out the backpacking table and chair from my bag.

The folding backpacking table unfolded to the size of a large monitor.

The backpacking chair was also small, but when assembled, it was big enough to sit on.

‘Using backpacking gear feels like playing with toys.’

I placed the square fish cakes, rice cakes, green onions, radishes, and other ingredients on the table.

“Should I add this too?”

Chae Dong-hwa, who had been watching, pointed to the rice cakes and asked.

“Yes. I tried it in Busan and it was delicious.”

In Busan, rice cakes are also added to fish cake skewers. They call it ‘mul-tteok’ there.

“You don’t like it?”

“No, I didn’t know you could eat it this way.”

How could he not know about mul-tteok? Even though it’s a regional dish, I thought it was common knowledge.

“Over there, it’s called mul-tteok. It’s chewy and delicious. Try a bite and if you don’t like it, I’ll eat it.”

“Okay.”

Chae Dong-hwa nodded. He was an interesting person.

I was curious whether he was just enduring or actually clueless.

I skewered the fish cakes in a zig-zag pattern and Chae Dong-hwa followed suit. We quickly completed the skewers.

I boiled the green onions, radishes, mushrooms, and various seasonings in the soup.

The delicious aroma filled the cave.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Yes, I will too.”

After a long day, I felt hungrier than usual. I took a spoonful of the fish cake soup.

The warm and salty broth spread through my body.

‘Ah, this is rejuvenating.’

Indeed, the best way to end a day is with a meal in front of a campfire. It warmed me up to my core.

The scenery was also beautiful. The stars were out, and the forest glowed like fireflies, blurring the boundary between land and sky.

The scene resembled a large aquarium with fluorescent jellyfish swimming around.

Being outside the camping site made the familiar dungeon feel new.

“How do you like the mul-tteok?”
Chae Dong-hwa had already polished off three mul-tteoks (rice cakes). However, his expression was as serious as if he was solving a difficult math problem.

“They’re delicious.”

Perhaps that’s just his shocked expression. Though reserved, he quickly finished the mul-tteoks.

‘I should have brought more rice cakes.’

It felt good to see him enjoying the food.

The only thing I improved while living alone was my cooking skills. I had nowhere else to boast, but after coming to the campsite, my true value shone through.

The guests at the campsite never hesitated to praise my cooking.

It felt regretful and nostalgic to think I had never cooked for my family.

“About the senior you mentioned, Hunter Chae Dong-hwa.”

I cautiously started the topic. Chae Dong-hwa paused eating his fish cake and looked at me.

“You mentioned a senior who helped you a lot when you first became a hunter.”

“Yes.”

I suddenly wanted to talk about my brother.

“What kind of person were they?”

I had deliberately avoided this topic until now. But, I realized Chae Dong-hwa might be the most appropriate person to talk to about this.

Whenever I talked about my missing family, others would look at me with pity.

‘I don’t feel overly sad or lonely anymore.’

He doesn’t know I’m the sister of the person he’s talking about, so he won’t pity or console me.

I just wanted to talk to someone who remembered my family.

“Are you asking for their name?”

“No, just their characteristics or memories. Like how they taught you backpacking.”

“Ah.”

Chae Dong-hwa stopped eating and thought deeply. A faint warmth spread across his face.

“They were blunt but kind-hearted.”

Ah, my brother did have a rough way of speaking…

He was a typical tsundere type, nagging but caring and even brushing my hair.

“And although I must have been a nuisance following them around, they treated me without prejudice.”

There were rumors that Chae Dong-hwa was a fan of my brother and followed him around, which seems to be true.

I nodded, listening to his story.